Today, the results of StarMetro’s annual Stuff the Bus food drive, which helps address hunger in Tallahassee, were revealed after a full-size bus filled with food donations was unloaded and weighed. StarMetro collected 3,773 pounds of food to benefit Second Harvest of the Big Bend, which is nearly double the poundage collected in during last year’s food drive.

During the month-long campaign, StarMetro collected non-perishable food donations on buses, at City facilities and at over 30 local businesses. The donated food items, combined with cash donations from community partners, will provide more than 3,264 meals for residents in need. Stuff the Bus continues to be one of the area’s most successful food drives.

“The record number of partner drop-off sites and community donations speaks volumes about the type of residents we have in our community,” said James Barnes, City of Tallahassee Chief Customer Officer. “The City is proud to be part of the solution, helping to address food insecurity in Tallahassee.”

February and March are traditionally slow months for food donations at Second Harvest; however, the need doesn’t wane. Currently, one in five people in the Big Bend do not know where their next meal will come from. Second Harvest of the Big Bend tackles this issue of food insecurity by providing thousands of healthy meals to residents in need.

“One in five children, seniors and families in the Big Bend area are not able to secure food on a daily basis. Second Harvest appreciates partners like StarMetro who conduct food drives to further our mission of fighting hunger and feeding hope,” said Ramsay Sims, board president at Second Harvest of the Big Bend.